Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

CHICAGO - The UIC men's and women's track & field teams wrapped up the opening weekend of the outdoor season Saturday, highlighted by the Flames claiming five individual first-place finishes at the St. Joseph's College Puma Invite in Rensselaer, Ind.

On the women's side, freshmen Stephanie Sanders and junior Jennifer Johnson each tallied first-place finishes. Sanders claimed medalist honors in the 1,500-meter run, crossing the finishing line in 4:56.12. Meanwhile, Johnson leaped 5.16 meters in the long jump to finish first in a field of eight individuals.

Senior Justen Garth finished in first place in the 200 meter dash (22.73 seconds), and was also a member of the 4x100 meter relay that crossed the finishing line in first place (42.85 seconds). Comprising the rest of that relay combination were freshmen Martin Hunter and Brandon Lau, along with senior Roy Mwale.

The 4x400 relay, a combo that featured Hunter, junior Ryan Blackmon, freshman Obinna Onyeaghala and Mwale, also took home first-place honors (3:22.54). Finally, freshman Jordan Banks finished first in the long jump, leaping 6.43 meters.

The Puma Invite field also featured Horizon League foe Valparaiso. Both the men's and women's teams will compete in the Chicagoland Championships in Romeoville, Ill., next Friday and Saturday (April 5-6).